ARJUNA AWARDEE BRUNO COUTINHO FELICITATED IN KUWAIT.

KIFF FELICITATES BRUNO COUTINHO

    Indian Soccer Icon attends League final in Kuwai

Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) laid out the red carpet for Indian soccer icon Bruno Coutinho in a classy function organized on 14th June 2012 at the Royal Terrasse Restaurant to felicitate the Arjuna Awardee and former captain of the Indian soccer team.


Introducing Bruno Coutinho to the 19 affiliate member clubs of the federation and other dignitaries, KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes welcomed Coutinho who is now the Jt. Director of coaching for the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) and spoke at length of his many achievements in soccer. Fernandes also paid glowing tributes to Bruno and amid showers of glittering confetti, presented him with an exquisite memento on behalf of the Federation.


The evening got off to a wonderful start with a welcome song by renowned Konkani stage artiste Mario Carneiro highlighting the history of Indian soccer in Kuwait, followed by a soccer quiz competition testing the knowledge of the guests who were divided into teams. DJ Marlon was on hand to provide the music for those who wanted to shake a leg and popular Goan musician Shahu Almeida transported everyone to the sunshine state, swinging to the Goan Masalla. In between guests participated in a game which was won by youngsters Dwane Almeida and Leann D’Souza, and were also entertained with a dance performance by a troupe of teenagers, led by Kevin Vaz.


Accepting his award, Bruno Coutinho thanked the Federation for making him feel special and said he was amazed to see such a strong Indian Football Federation with 19 affiliates, unlike anywhere else in the gulf. Responding to a few questions from the emcee on behalf of the audience, Bruno who studied in the famous Monte De Guirim High School in Goa felt that sports in India needed to be developed at village level and in Goa with the new Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar declaring soccer as a state sport, the future for soccer seemed bright at least in his home state. Asked who his role model was, Bruno immediately responded “I owe everything to my father and my family” who have been my strength and support in achieving my goals. On a question if SAG would be able to organize a mini world cup in Goa for NRI teams, the soccer icon felt that it could be done and he would look into the possibility upon his return to India.


Rev. Fr. Franco Pereira Sdb, spoke briefly about playing the game in the right spirit before leading the guests in a small prayer just before dinner. The splendid and memorable evening was hosted by Julio Cardoso and ended well past midnight with all the 19 affiliate member clubs being introduced to Bruno Coutinho and KIFF Vice President Clifford Pinto proposing the vote of thanks.


Julio Cardoso,
Kuwait

RTI REVEALS PANDURANG NADKARNI HAD FAILED SSC IN 1970 AND WAS ALSO REJECTED FOR POST OF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN 1995.

By Aires Rodrigues
Educationist Pandurang Nadkarni who has been recommended by the Goa Government for the post of State Information Commissioner had failed the SSC exam in 1970 while a student of A..J. de Almeida School at Ponda. This has been revealed from documents obtained from the Personnel department at the Secretariat under the Right to Information Act. These documents had been submitted by Mr. Nadkarni while applying for the post of Director of Education in 1994. Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni failed SSC in April 1970 and cleared it in October that year in pass class at the age of 18. Ironically Mr. Manohar Parrikar while Chief Minister in 2001 had appointed Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni as Chairman of Goa SSC Board. As per the documents now obtained Mr. Nadkarni passed his BA in pass class and MA in second class both by correspondence from Shivaji University, Kolhapur


The documents obtained under RTI also reveals that Goa Government had in 1995 rejected the name of Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni for the post of Director of Education. The Goa Public Service Commission had recommended the name of Mr. Nadkarni for the post of Director of Education. However, the Goa cabinet headed by then Chief Minister Mr. Pratapsingh Rane by a decision taken on 2nd March 1995 rejected the recommendation on the ground that Mr. Nadkarni was not experienced in the administration of education. Noting that Mr. Nadkarni lacked the requisite administrative experience, the cabinet felt that appointment of such a person would hamper the efficiency of the department.


Meanwhile, the Crime Branch has sought comments from the Director of Information on the complaint against the discrepancies in the bio-data submitted by Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni while applying for the post of State Information Commissioner.


The name of Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni for the post of State Information Commissioner has been recommended by a committee headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar but the same has been strongly objected with a complaint to Goa Governor B.V.Wanchoo that Mr. Nadkarni did not have the required knowledge and experience of law as required by Section 15 of the Right to Information Act.


Governor’s attention has been drawn that Section 15(5) of the Right to Information Act requires that the Information Commissioner should have wide knowledge and experience of law and that Mr. Nadkarni had no knowledge and experience of law whatsoever.


Mr. Nadkarni had resigned from his current job as Director of Manipal Academy of Health & Education before applying for the post of State Information Commissioner. Governor Wanchoo’s attention has also been drawn that this plumb posting carrying a monthly salary of over Rs. 1, 20, 000 was sought to be given to Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni by the Chief Minister as a trade off on the Medium of Instruction issue. Mr. Nadkarni who is a prominent leader of Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) was the petitioner in the MOI petition before the Bombay High Court.


After Governor Wanchoo sent the complaint filed against Mr. Nadkarni to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Director of Information issued a notice to Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni seeking an explanation from him on the objections raised to his selection as State Information Commissioner. The Crime Branch is also separately investigating a complaint filed about the false claims made by Mr. Pandurang Nadkarni in his bio-data.